Abbey Musical Theatre

Editorial

Happy New Year! A new year has dawned and we’re back into the swing of things already. First up this year is Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, to be staged in the Abbey Theatre and My Fair Lady, in August in the Regent on Broadway.

So, without further ado, let’s bring you the news and views that have occurred since the last newsletter.

“Little Shop of Horrors”

Little Shop of Horrors has been and gone, and was a huge success. Thank you very much to everyone involved in making this show the success it was.

"Five Women Wearing the Same Dress"

Our first production for 2004 is a comedy by Alan Ball that will give everyone something to laugh about.

Abbey Musical Theatre invites everyone to the wedding of Tracey Marlowe and Scott McClure. During the wedding reception you will be invited to the bedroom of Tracey’s sister, Meredith, where you will be privy to the private lives of the five bridesmaids and an usher.

Rehearsals have now started and are in full swing with the first read through being extremely funny but the hard work has now begun.

As usual we have a very talented crew who will be supporting all the cast on stage, with even some surprises. Our Stage Manager is Merryn Osborne, Lighting Designer is Jayne McQueen, Set Designer is Nathan McKendry, Procurement Officer (Props) is Linda Warren, Lighting Operator is Nikki Brereton, and the surprise for some is Barry Jones as Wardrobe Designer. For those of you with your mouths open, come along and see the amazing costumes we will have on stage.

Tickets will be available as usual at the Abbey Booking Office – telephone 355 0499 or fax 353 0422. For early bookings just leave a message and your call will be returned when bookings open. The ticket price is $25.00 for dessert, coffee and show.

Click here for more info and cast details.

Membership

Membership renewals are now due. Invoices have now been sent out. Have you moved house in the past 12 months Do we have your correct address and contact details Please check telephone numbers, e-mail address and details on the form, correct if necessary, and return to the Abbey Office.

If you have not received your invoice, please ring Carol at the Abbey Office on 355 4165.

CATS

Congratulations to two ex-CATS students on their recent “Next Step” scholarship awards from Palmerston North Performing Arts Trust. Diana Munn (actress) who has been accepted by South Seas Film & TV School for their full time 2004 on-screen acting course, and Monique Mai (dancer) who has been offered a place at the Elmhurst School for Dance in Surrey, England. Well done, girls!

Wild Cats

Yes, after much discussion we are able to offer people 16+ a class to further their enjoyment of acting etc. and meet other people interested in all aspects of theatre.

These classes are to be tutored by Matt Pedersen and are going to be held on a Monday evening from 6.30 – 8.00 p.m. at the Abbey Theatre. The cost is $120.00 per 10-week school term and classes are starting on Monday, 9 February.

If you are interested in joining, please ring Marie Spelman on (06) 357 8822, or Matt Pedersen on 021 319 310, to register your interest and hear more information.

The first night, on 9 February, will be an informal get-together for people to find out more about these classes. Tell your friends as well if you think they might be interested.

Out and About

From time to time we hear of other societies in the region having productions and some of us like to go and support them (we like them to support us).

If you are interested in coming along and making up a group booking (and getting discounted seat prices) please let us know and we will give you a ring when we hear of an event coming up and you can join us if that particular production interests you.

Please ring Marie (06) 357 8822 and either talk to her, or leave a message on the answerphone and she will call you back.

Town and Around

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
17 - 27 March 2004
ABBEY THEATRE

My Fair Lady
August 2004
REGENT ON BROADWAY

Costume Hire - Membership Discounts

Members are entitled to a 10% discount on hireage of costumes. Discounts are available only for the person named on the membership card.

Please remember to have your current card with you when hiring a costume as staff are required to add membership numbers to the invoice before giving a discount. The Wardrobe reserves the right NOT to discount certain items, e.g. new costumes and those requiring dry cleaning.

General Charges:
Adults costumes: $5 - $40 (plus refundable bond)
Children’s costumes: $5 - $15 (plus refundable bond)

Children’s prices are only applicable to those costumes on the children’s rack.

Length of hireage is usually no more than one week – return date will be given at time of hireage.

"Paris"

The Boys High and Girls High joint production this year is the New Zealand premiere of Jon English and David MacKay’s rock opera - Paris – set in the Trojan War.

This will be staged at the Speirs Centre from 25 March – 3 April 2004. Bookings open on 16 February 2004 from Ticket Direct and PNBHS.

For more details, visit the Paris website here

Thought of the Month

• Success seems to be connected with action – successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but don’t quit.
• The only place where success comes before work is the dictionary.
• Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.
• Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone.